Paul’s story

“Moving back really has been a very positive experience.”

Name: Paul Lindsay
Age:    31
Job:     Dentist

Why did you leave Northern Ireland in the first place?
I originally come from Lisburn but left Northern Ireland when I went to university in Glasgow to study dentistry. My degree took five years and then I worked in Glasgow for a further four years. After that I moved to Birmingham where I lived and worked for three years before moving back home.

Why did you decide to relocate to Northern Ireland?
It was always in the back of my mind to return home eventually. I think mainly because my family and most of my friends are here.

Did you have a job sorted before moving here?
Yes I had a job organised about six months before coming home. So there was really no risk involved in making the move.

Tell us about your role now at Belfast Orthodontic Clinic
I’m a dentist specialising in providing orthodontic treatment, which is about preventing and correcting irregularities of the teeth by using braces.

How easy was the move for you?
I was a little apprehensive about moving back, but in the end it was easy enough for me mainly because most of my family are here. I also still have a lot of friends here from school and university days. They made it all very straightforward.

What are some of the things you appreciate most about living here?
I think the main thing is that people are generally very friendly. There is also some beautiful countryside and because Northern Ireland is rather small, it’s very easy to travel around it. The end of the ‘Troubles’ has created a lot of optimism here. That’s evident in the amount of regeneration going on in Northern Ireland, particularly in Belfast.

What’s the biggest challenge you have faced?
To be honest I haven’t really found any challenges moving back. It really has been a very positive experience.

What do you like doing outside work? 
I’m a member of a local church so am involved in various church activities. I enjoy playing tennis and am a member of a local fitness and health club.

Would you recommend Northern Ireland to others as a place to work and live?
I really would recommend it. Having lived in both Scotland and England I really do prefer life here. I think for those who are already from Northern Ireland, and have family and friends here anyway, it makes the step of moving back very easy.

Are you intending to settle here for good?
Absolutely! I have no plans to move away again. I’m glad, though, that I moved away and experienced life elsewhere. But moving back was definitely the right decision.